Who likes Selective Desaturation?

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5- 5.6G ED DX

02/04/2007 12:10:47 AM · #1

I've played with selective desaturation on some of my candid urban shots shown below, and would like to see what other people have as a favorite of theres in this technique.

xXxscarletxXx

Nikon D80

02/04/2007 12:11:17 AM · #2

Must say the 3rd one looks the best

jfriesen

Panasonic LUMIX GH5

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

02/04/2007 12:13:17 AM · #3

I like #2 the best. Keep up the good work.

fotomann_forever

02/04/2007 12:13:19 AM · #4

All are well done, but the third one (to me) is the only one that the selective saturation appears to have real purpose.

02/04/2007 12:14:46 AM · #5

Thanks for the comments guys, show me some of your selective desats that you have done.

Ivo

02/04/2007 12:15:31 AM · #6

It is really too bad that selective desat gets the thumbs down lately. I guess it was overused but I still think it has its place in the right image. BTW, nice work Bob.

02/04/2007 12:17:01 AM · #7

how do you do a "selective desaturation"? do you need a program like Abode Photoshop? all i have is some crummy Kodak Instantshare program

02/04/2007 12:17:49 AM · #8

Yes, I use photoshop to do the process.

Ivo

02/04/2007 12:18:07 AM · #9

Originally posted by Muppet:

how do you do a "selective desaturation"? do you need a program like Abode Photoshop? all i have is some crummy Kodak Instantshare program

Yeah, an advanced photo editing program is a must to accomplish this task.

02/04/2007 12:18:12 AM · #10

oh, Bob, i go for the second one. nice work

jaysonmc

Nikon D200

Nikon MF 105mm f/2.5 AIS

02/04/2007 12:18:34 AM · #11

I am not a fan of selective desat, unless there is a reason. The 3rd picture is the only one that fits that category for me, and even then it isn't much of an enhancement. Though I do occasionally see very good ues, and no a child's eyes or flower bouquet isn't one of them.

02/04/2007 12:18:39 AM · #12

thanks Ivo

02/04/2007 12:19:14 AM · #13

Originally posted by Ivo:

It is really too bad that selective desat gets the thumbs down lately. I guess it was overused but I still think it has its place in the right image. BTW, nice work Bob.

What a tremendous image this is, I never got the chance to vote on this one, but would have scored it a 10 for sure, bravo.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

02/04/2007 12:22:48 AM · #14

Originally posted by jaysonmc:

i think that Bob's use of desat can be fitting if you look at it the right way. for the second one, i get the feeling that he doesn't really feel as though he belongs where he is. perhaps he is dreaming of a life he can't find where he is at.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

02/04/2007 12:23:04 AM · #15

Originally posted by Muppet:

how do you do a "selective desaturation"? do you need a program like Abode Photoshop? all i have is some crummy Kodak Instantshare program

DPC Tutorial for doing this within the Basic Rules.

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

02/04/2007 12:26:17 AM · #16

Originally posted by Muppet:

Originally posted by jaysonmc:
I am not a fan of selective desat, unless there is a reason. The 3rd picture is the only one that fits that category for me, and even then it isn't much of an enhancement. Though I do occasionally see very good ues, and no a child's eyes or flower bouquet isn't one of them.
i think that Bob's use of desat can be fitting if you look at it the right way. for the second one, i get the feeling that he doesn't really feel as though he belongs where he is. perhaps he is dreaming of a life he can't find where he is at.

In that particular image I saw this man on a pretty gloomy day where everyone around him looked so blah and mundane, even the surroundings were murky, and his attire just needed to be emphasized in my photo or put on display, because they were very vibrant and colorful to see, so I wiped out all of the other distracting colors.

taterbug

Nikon D300

02/04/2007 12:27:55 AM · #17

fotomann_forever

02/04/2007 12:29:55 AM · #18

Originally posted by Muppet:

how do you do a "selective desaturation"? do you need a program like Abode Photoshop? all i have is some crummy Kodak Instantshare program

I fyou want to try some of the more advanced stuff and don't want to shell out the cash for Photoshop... I highly recommend the Gimp.

jaysonmc

Nikon D200

Nikon MF 105mm f/2.5 AIS

02/04/2007 12:32:41 AM · #19

Originally posted by Muppet:

Okay, I'll play along...

First picture, you have one guy in color, one guy in b&w and the background in B&W. What does this tell me. I guess that the one guy who is in color is different from the rest of the world??? Sure I guess. If the main point of the photo was to compare contrast the two people, than they should have both been in color and the background desaturated. To me it doesn't make sense. If a little girl comes on the scene, would she be desat too? By have two main subjects they should compete with each other, instead you have one guy competing with another person and a background. This of course just my interpretation.

Second picture just has a guy on a bench an everything in the world is gray. What makes this guy so special that he is in color? Looking at the photo, I can't find a reason. Senseless desaturation. At least this is my interpretation.

Third picture, shows a gaggle of peopel in the the back ground and a person in the foreground. The background people are B&W along with the rest of the image. Only the foreground person is in color, but at least this person is engaging the viewer, saying "Yes, there are other people/things in the world, but all that matters right now is me and you." At least that is how I see that image.

I would be interested in how you view these selective desaturated images. Everyone has their own opinion and that is one of the great things about any art form.

02/04/2007 12:34:12 AM · #20

thanks for the help General, i'll keep my eyes open for that on my current programs and look for a new program that has that

fotomann_forever

02/04/2007 12:35:52 AM · #21

jaysonmc nailed my thoughts on the images exactly.

Qart

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

02/04/2007 12:37:57 AM · #22

Your technique is excellent. You really pay attention to detail. Nice job! I really like selective desat and use it quite a bit... :)

02/04/2007 12:40:24 AM · #23

well Jay, i agree with you on the slight akwardness on the first, and the awareness of the third, but the way the guy in pic two holds himself, impatiently leaning forward and holding his head in his hand, to me that shows that he is bored with his life and wants to move on to something bigger and better. the great thing about that is that we all feel that at times so we can all compare to how he feels. that could have been you not too long ago, or if you're like me, right now.

jaysonmc

Nikon D200

Nikon MF 105mm f/2.5 AIS

02/04/2007 12:48:02 AM · #24

Originally posted by Muppet:

Everyone has their own interpretation and I totally respect that. :)
I think the 2nd image for me at least would have had more impact if say it was pulled back further to see the whole scene, and then maybe if there was an "accident/fireman/emergency" on scene and this guy would be totally oblivious. As is, having this all in color or all in B&W would have the same impact for me as the desaturation.

However, I do want to say this is really good use of technic though. From what I can tell there is no bleeding and the post work was well done!